Variable speed transmission



Jan. 18, 1944. A, D HELD 2,339,626

VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMISSION I Filed Marh 25, 1942 s Sheets-Sheet, 1

INVENTOR.

j/QWZ $665 WZZUZMAMFFZZJQ,

' 1 94 w. A. DUFFIELD 2,33 ,626 VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMISSION Filed March 25, 1942 s sheet -sneak; 2

' P INVENTbi v I W[LLMMAJ7Z/FFIEZD,

Jan. 18, 1944. w. A. DUFFIELD VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMISSION 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 25, 1942 Afro/mans."

VV/[Z/HM/l. DUFFEZD,

' 33 of Figs. 1 and 2;

with a sun gear Patented Jan. 18, 1944 VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMISSION William A. Duffield. Win

assignor to Windfiel Quebec, Canada, a co dsor, Ontario, Canada,

ds, .Limited. Montreal, rporation of Canada Application March 25, 1942, Serial No. 436,158

' 15 Claims. (Cl. 74-'1.89.5)

This application is in part a continuation of my pending application Serial No. 361,354, filed October 16, 1940, for Variable speed transmission.

This invention relates to a mechanism for the transmission of power from a prime mover to a' delivery shaft at variable speeds in such manner that the shifts from one speed ratioto another are entirely automatic in accordance with the relation between the prime mover torque and the delivery shaft torque.

The mechanism includes a liquid coupling mechanism which cooperates with the gearing in a novel manner.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a speed change transmission gearing which will meet the varied requirements of load, speed and torque, particularly in the operation of motor vehicles.

through the medium of a bearing 2| and sleeve 22 respectively, is a planetary gear carrier 23 within which is journalled a planetary group 24 comprising a gear 25 meshing with gear II, a

gear 26 meshing with gear l5, and a gear 21 meshing with gear 20, in the embodiment shown gear being smaller than-gear I5, gear I being A further object of the invention is to provide a transmission in which the changes of speed and torque are not manually controlled out-are automatic and are subject to the control of power supplied to the transmission and 1 the resistance of the load at any load speed.

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention:

Fig.1 is' anaxial section of one-embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 an axial section of another embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 3 a section, on a smaller scale, on line 4-4 of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 a fragmentary section on line 55 of Fig. 4 a section; on the scale of Fig. 3, on line 7 Figs. 1 and 2; and

Fig. 6 "a fragmentary section showing the means for normally urging the speed-sensitive gear The outer end of shaft I0 is journalled Y in an axial pocket l6 formed in the inner end of tail shaft I! which, at its outer end, is splined V or otherwise formed to receive a coupling which is to be connected to the load. Journalled on the inner end of tail shaft I1 is a tubular shaft is provided, at its inner end, with a sun gear 20 which flanks gear II on the side'opposite to ear I5.

Journalled on thetwo tubular shafts l2 and I9,

smaller than gear 20, and gears 25, 26 and 2'! of the planetary group being appropriately dimensioned so as to be in simultaneous engagement with the sun gears.

Connected to, or formed integrally with, tail shaft I1 is a flange 30 to which is attached, or which forms part of, a clutch housing 3| within which is splined a pressure ring 32 and a plurality of friction rings 33 interdigitated with a plurality of friction rings 34 splined upon carrier 23. Flanking the group of friction rings 33-34 is a pressure ring 35 which is splined on clutch housing 3| and yieldingly urged toward the friction rings 33 by springs 36, the action of which is limited by adjusting bolts 31. Pressure ring 32 is yieldingly urged away from the adjacent friction ring group by retrieving springs 38 1n the interior ofthe clutch housing 3|, which, as noted above, is connected to the tail shaft for rotation therewith, is a series of pins 4|- upon each of which is pivoted a centrifugally sensitive,

The weighted. arm of each of the elements .42 is provided with a perforation or pocket 41 within which is located a toggle structure T composed of two members 48-48 pivotally connected by a pivot pin 49 and each provided with a toe, one of which rests in a pocket 50 inthe pressure ring 32 and the other of which rests in a pocket 5| of the housing 3|. Pockets '50 and 5| may be formed in blocks 50 and BI re-' spectively which are rotatively mounted in housing 3| and pressure ring 32 respectively, as ini dicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

The arrangement is such that when the weighted end of the centrifugally sensitive element 42 moves outwardly under the action of centrifugal force, the toggle structure will be expanded bepressure ring 32 to force the interposed friction rings so as to activate the clutch and thereby connect housing 3| and tail outermost position, the expanded toggle structure lies short of a dead center position so that the retrieving springs 38, acting through the pressure ring 32 thereon, will act to return weights 42 to their inner positions whenever centrifugal forces acting upon said weights are sufdciently decreased.

The teeth of gears II and 25 are helical and so pitched that forward driving torque exerted upon the tail shaft will urge shaft l8 axially to the right, for a purpose which will be made to appear.

Attached to end wall I4 is, a sleeve 56 through which tubular shaft |2 projects and which supports bearing 51 upon which is journalled a brake drum 58 which may be held stationary by manually operated brake 59. Interposed between the hub of drum 58 and carrier 23 is a one-way clutchv 60 which will prevent reverse rotation of carrier 23 when drum 58 is held stationary.

Splined upon tubular shaft l2 and abutting bearing I3 is a clutch housing 65 within which is splined a pressure ring 66 and a plurality of friction discs 61 interdigitated with friction discs 68 splined upon a drum 69 carried by a collar 69' within which is a collar I8 keyed to shaft l8. Interposed between collar 69' and collar 10 is a one-way clutch 1| which permits driving torque to be applied to the shaft I8 through the medium of collar 69' only in the forward direction. Flanking the friction ring group 61-68 is a pressure ring 12 abutted by springs 13, like springs 36, and limited in movement inone direction by the adlusting bolts and nuts 14, like bolts 31. Pressure ring 66 is urged away from the friction ring group 61-68 by retrieving springs like springs 38. Pivotally supported in housing 65 are centrifugally sensitive weights 15, like weights 42, and carrying ,toggle mechanisms T, like the toggle mechanisms previously described.

Rotatively mounted on the hub of casing 65 is an equalizer ring 16 provided with radial arms Tl extending into the short arms of weights I6.

Secured to shaft I8 is an axially adjustable collar 18 between which, and ring 16, is interposed a thrust bearing 19, the arrangement being such that when shaft I is urged to the right by reason of the interaction of the helical teeth of gears II and 25, pressure will be exerted upon the equalizer ring 16 to oppose rotative movement thereof under the influence of centrifugal forces acting on the speed-sensitive element 15 in accordance "with the differential between driving torque applied to the shaft l8 and load torque applied to the relative to housing 3| and thereby prevent outward movement of elements 42 in response to centrifugal forces applied thereto.

One end of shaft I9 is journalled within an axial pocket 90 formed in the hub 9| of the runner 92 of a liquid coupling which also comprises an associated impeller 93 attachable at 94 to a source of power and provided with a shell 95 which encloses the runner 92 with a liquid seal 96 interposed between said shell and the hub of runner 92. Impeller 93 and runner 92 are correlated by hearing 91. This liquid coupling is of a well known type, commonly referred to as a Pottinger type, the impeller and runner being provided with radiating vanes forming channels in the impeller and runner through which the contained liquid may be circulated, upon rotation of the impeller. Clutch housing 65 is so formed as to function as a brake drum which may be held stationary by manually operated brake I80.

The mechanism shown in Fig. 2 is, except for the manner of mounting of the drum carrier for the inner set of interdigitated friction rings 68,

'the same as shown in Fig. 1. In the construction in Fig. 2 the friction rings 68 are keyed to an annulus 69" which is secured to shell 95 which is carried by the impeller 93 of the liquid coupling.

For convenience in description of operation the clutch assembly which is controlled by the speed-sensitive elements 42 will be referred to as clutch X and the clutch assembly which is controlled by the speed-sensitive elements 15 will be referred to as clutch Y.

Operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. l is as follows: Rotation of impeller 93 will cause rotation of runner 92 through the medium of the tall shaft. By this means outward movement of weights 15, under applied centrifugal forces, is dependent upon the differential between drivin torque applied to gear II and load torque applied to the tail shaft.

Projecting through perforations 88 in part 85 or 3| and into perforations 8| in ring 46 are fingers 82 carried by a collar 83 axially shiftable on the tail shaft and manually movable through the medium of an operating arm 84. The free ends of fingers 82 are shouldered at 85 in such manner that, when in their normal retracted position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, said-fingers will not interfere with the necessary angular movement of ring 46 relative to housing 3|, but when fully projected (toward theleft Figs. l and 2) into enclosed liquid. Runner 92, through the medium of the one-way clutch II, will rotate shaft 8, the initial torque, by reason of the helical teeth of gears II and 25, serving to press collar 18 against bearing I9 on to equalizerring 16 thereby resisting outward movement of a speed-sensitive element 15in accordance with the differential between engine torque and load torque.

Rotation .of gear causes rotation of the planetary unit 24 and, as reverse rotation of carrier 23 is prevented by clutch 68, because 58 is held stationary by brake band 59, gear 2'! will rotate gear 20 in a forward direction. The gear 28, acting through ring 46 and fingers 45 upon weights 42, urges said weights to their innermost position and exerts a circumferential driving force on carrier 3| through pins 4| to rotate tail shaft forwardly at a gear ratio determined by that of the gears ||-252|+28. At the same time, gear I5 is rotated in a forward direction by gear 26 but at a less speed than that of the gear 20 and the tail shaft, and the .load torque acting through the helical gears II and 25 exerts a proportional resistance on equalizer ring 16. In course of time, however, the centrifugal forces acting on element 15 become sufficient to overcome the resistance to movement of equalizer l6 and the weights move outwardly to cause toggle T of clutch Y to initiate activation of that clutch thereby transmitting the driving torque from runner 92 to tubular shaft I2 and gear -l5 so that flow of power is then partially from runner 92 through clutch Y, tubular shaft l2, gear l5, gear 26, gear 21, gear 28, and housing 3| to the tail shaft, gear 25 thereby operating on gear not only to drive shaft ll so that it will underrun collar 69' by reason of clutch II but also to relieve pressure on equalizer ring. "so

that weights 15 may move outwardly to fully ac- L tivate clutch Y. This is an approach to complete second gear relationship.

The amount of restraining pressure exerted on equalizer ring 18 will vary with the tarque of the load impressed on the tail shaft. Consequently, the speed of carrier 65 at which weights will move outwardly to activate clutch Y will be dependent upon and determined by the relation If, for any reason, whether it beincreased load I torque or decreased engine torque, the speed of carrier 65 decreases to a predetermined point, dependent on the centrifugal value of weights I5 unaffected by lead torque.. clutch Y will be re leased by inward movement of weights and low gear relation will be automatically reestablished. This is due to the fact that the retriever springs,

92, 69', H, 10, H), H,

cause release of clutch X the drive will be at a speed less than engine speed either through the second speed train l52621 -20 or the low speed train l|21-20 depending upon the speed of carrier 65 at that moment.

For reverse, carrier 65 is held stationary by brake I00, drum 58 is released from brake 59 and fingers 82 are projected into ring 48 so as to block outward movement of weights 42. The flow of power is then from the impeller 93 through I 25 causing 26 to roll on stationary gear l5 and thereby revolve 2'! around and rotate relative to gear 20 so as to rotate gear 20 and the tail shaft in reverse direction.

Analogous conditions exist in the form shown in Fig. 2, except that activation of clutch y,

corresponding to clutch Y in the other. form, connects the second speed gear I5 with the impeller 93 instead of with the runner 92 and consequently, in second gear, cuts out the usual slippage which exists between impeller 93 and runner 92. In this form, as well as in the form shown in Fig. 1, the shifts in the lines of flow of power from the engine to the tail shaft are enacting through the pressure ring 56 on the toggle T' of the clutch Y, will restore the weights Hi to their inner positions whenever the centrifugal:

forces acting on weights 15 are sufliciently diminished.

If, on the other hand, load torque sufficiently decreases relative to engine torque to permit clutch X to be brought into action by weight 42, carrier 23 will start forwardly so that overrunning of shaft l0 relative to clutch '10 is gradually ditirely automatic and the driving torque is always through the differential gearing evenin the high speed relationship.

It will, of course, be understood that the oneway clutches 60 and H may be of any desired form and that the means for holding drum 58 and clutch shell 65 against rotation may be other minishedas the speed of carrier 23 increases'until the ratio between the gears I5, 26, 25, II is compensated, whereupon the rotative speeds of llF-I-l and I5 are equal and runner 92 resumes driving effort on shaft l0 through the medium of clutch I I. At this instant the resistance to further outward movement of weights 42 is measured by the relation between the instant l'oad torque and the instant engine torque arriving at gear 20 through the low gear train and consequently further out ward movement of weights 42, to make clutch X fully effective, will depend on this torque relation and, so long as the speed of clutch Y'remains above the critical speed previously mentioned, engine torque will be applied by runner 92 to both gears H and I5.

It will be noticed that, in the high speed relationship', engine torque is not transmitted to the tail shaft through carrier 23 but through the differential gearing, through without speed reduction through that gearing. This because carrier 23, in high speed, is clutched to the tail shaft and therefore only subjected to a torque whichis the difference between engine torque as it arrives at gear 20 and load torque applied to gear 20.

In high speed relation, when clutch X is fully activated, so long .as the speed of carrier 55 is than the friction band brakes shown..

The clutches X and Y must be of such character as to permit relative rotation between their input and output ends during an initial period of activation and the term friction clutch used in the specification and claims is to be so interpreted.

Between the several'sun gears there must be speed differentials dependent upon a planetary unit and the most convenient gear relation is of the character indicated in the drawings and description in terms of relative sizes of the sun gears, but it is to be understood that other size relations of the epicyclic gearing performing comparable functions would be within the limits defined by such phraseology.

I claim as my invention: A

1. A speed change gearing comprising, a first sun gear, a second sun gear of larger diameter than the first sun gear, a third sun gear of larger diameter than the first sun gear, an integrated group of planetary gears meshing with said sun gears, a carrier for said planetary group rotatable about the axis of the sun gears, means obstructing rotation in one direction only of said carrier, a liquid coupling comprising a power-receiving element and a power-delivery element, a one-way driving connection between said power-delivery element of the coupling and the first-sun gear, a speed-sensitive element revolvable about the axis of the sun gears,a carrier for said speed-sensitive element rotatable about the axis of the sun gears,

above critical speed, runner 92 (Fig. 1) transmits engine torque to both gears H and I5 but if load speed drops to the critical release speed of clutch Y without a sufficient increase of load torque to act through helical gear 'H and collar 18 on equalizer 16, weights 15 willmove inwardly to.

disconnect clutch Y so that the engine torque to the tail shaft will be through the low speed train I l252'|20 though at engine speed .until clutch X is released due to a sumcient difierential between engine torque and load torque.

' When the load torquesuificientiyincreases to a friction clutch interposed between said lastmentioned carrier and the first-mentioned carrier and operated by said speed-sensitive element in its clutch-activating position to clutch said two carriers together, a connection between the third sun gear and the speed-sensitive element acting to restrain clutch-activating"movement of the speed-sensitive element in accordance with the relationof input torque applied to the third sun gear and load torque applied to the carrier of the speed-sensitive element, a second speed-sensitive element revolvable about the axis of the sun gears, a carrier for said second-.speed-sensitive eleabout the axis of the sun gears, means obstructing rotation in one direction only of said carrier, a liquid'couplin comprising a power-receiving element and a power-delivery element, a one-way driving connection between said power- -delivery element of the coupling and the first sun gear, a

speed-sensitive elemen't revolvable about the axis of the sun gears, a carrier forsaid speedsensitive element rotatable about the axis of the sun gears, a friction clutch interposed between said last-mentioned carrier and the first-men tioned carrier and operated by said speed-sensitive element in its clutch-activating position to clutch said two carriers together, a connection between the third sun gear and the speed-sensitive element acting to restrain clutch-activating movement of the speed-sensitive element in accordance with the relation of input torque applied to the third sun gear and load torque applied to the carrier of the speed-sensitive element, a second speed-sensitive element revolvable about the axis of the sun gears, a carrier for said second speed-sensitive element rotatable about the axis of the sun gears and connected to the second sun gear, a friction clutch interposed between said carrier of the second speed-sensitive element and the input element of the fluid coupling, and a tail shaft connected with said second-mentioned carrier.

3. A speed change gearing comprising a first sun gear, a second sun .gear of larger diameter than the first sun gear, a third sun gear of larger diameter than th first sun gear, an integrated group of planetary gears meshing with said sun gears, a carrier for said planetary group rotatable about the axis of the sun gears, means obstructing rotation in one direction only of said carrier, a liquid coupling comprising a power-receiving element and apower-delivery element, a oneway driving connection between said power-de livery element of the coupling and the first sun gear, a speed-sensitive element revolvable about the axis of the sun gears, a carrier for said speedsensitive element rotatable about the axis of the sun gears, a friction clutch interposed between said last-mentioned carrier and the first-mentioned carrier and operated by said speed-sensitive element in its clutch-activating position to clutch said two carriers together, -.a connection between the third sun gear and the speed-sensitive element acting to restrain clutch-activating.

movement of the speed-sensitive element in accordance with the relation of input. torque applied to the third sun gear and load torque applied to the carrier of the speed-sensitive element, a second speed-sensitive element revolvable pling, and a tail shaft connected with said secondmentioned carrier.

4. Apparatus of the character specified in claim 1 and including means by which the second sun gear may be held stationary.

5. Apparatus of the character specified in claim 2, and including means by which the second sun gear may be-held stationary.

6. Apparatus of the character specified inclaim 3, and including means by-which the second sun gear may be held stationary.

7.. Apparatus of the character specified in claim 1 and including means by which the second sun gear may be held stationary and means for locking the third sun gear upon the tail shaft.

8. \Apparatus of the character specified in claim 2, and including means by which the second sun gear may be held stationary and means for locking the third sun gear upon the tail shaft.

9. Apparatus of the character specified in claim 3, and including means by which the second sun gear may be held stationary and means for locking the third sun gear upon the tail' shaft.

10. A speed change gearing comprising, a first sun gear, a second sun gear of larger diameter than the first sun gear, a third sun gear of larger diameter than the first sun gear, an integrated group of planetary gears meshing with said sun gears, a carrier for said planetary group rotatable about the axis of the sun gears, means obstructing rotation in one direction only of said carrier, means including a one-way clutch by which power may be applied to the first sun gear, means including a clutch by which-power may be applied to the second sun gear. independent of application of power to the first sun gear, a tail shaft, a friction clutch interposed between said carrier and the tail shaft, a speed-sensitive actuator for said clutch, means responsive to the differential between input torque and load torque applied to the third sun gear for restraining clutch-activating movement of the actuator oi. the clutch leading to the second sun gear, and

z a speed-sensitive actuator for the clutch of the power applying means for the secondsun gear.

11. Apparatus of the character specified in claim 10, and including means interposed between the third sun gear and the first-mentioned speed-sensitive actuator to restrain response of said actuator to speed in accordance with load torque applied to the tail shaft.

12. Apparatus "of the character specified in claim 10, and including means for holding the second sun gear stationary and means for blocking operation of the first-mentioned clutch.

' 13. Apparatus of the character specified in claim 10; and including means interposed between the third sun gear and the first-mentioned speed sensitive actuator to restrain response of said actuator to speed in accordance with load torque, means for holding the second sun gear stationary, and means for blocking operation of the first-mentioned clutch.

14. A speed change transmission comprising, an epicyclic gearing group comprising two relatively-r'otatable input gears, an output gear, connecting planetary gears, a rotary carrier for said planetary gears, and-a tailshaft; a friction clutch for connecting said carrier *and.tail shaft, 2 speed-sensitive actuator for said clutch, atorquesensitive control for said actuator, means including an overrunmng clutch by which power may be applied to one of said input gears, means.

including a clutch by which power may be aping direction only. i

a,aao,e2o I I 4 I plied tov the other of said input gears; a speeda planetary gear. an adjustable nut on the main sensitive actuator for said last-mentioned clutch. shaft, a thrust bearing, a clutch carrying pivotand torque-sensitive control'means operative on in: slotted-governor weights, a eluteh carrier said last-mentioned actuator in-clutch-activathaving cam surfaces, and a control spider be- 15. In an automatic variable speed transmisthe carrier, havinc'splder arms bearing in slots sion, a torque control Memoieomprising,'ain the weights. q 7 main shaft havin: a helical pinion meshing with WILLIAM A. Dmmp.

6 tween the thrust bearing and cam surfaces on 

